Chauvin Arnoux C.A 6521 User manual

1
FRANÇAIS
ENGLISH
DEUTSCH
ITALIANO
ESPANOL
C.A6521
C.A6523
C.A6525
■MEGOHMMETRES
■MEGOHMMETERS
■MEGOHMMETER
■MEGAOHMMETRI
■MEGAÓHMETRO
Notice de fonctionnement
User's manual
Bedienungsanleitung
Libretto d’Istruzioni
Manual de Instrucciones

22
Meaning of the symbol
Warning ! Please refer to the User’s Manual before using
the instrument.
In this User’s Manual, the instructions preceded by the above
symbol, should they not be carried out as shown, can result
in a physical accident or dammage the instrument and the
installations.
Meaning of the symbol
This device is protected by a double insulation or by a
reinforced insulation.Nolinkingisrequired fromthe protection
earth terminal to ensure the electrical security.
Meaning of the symbol
Warning ! Risk of electric shock.
The voltage of the parts marked with this symbol may be
dangerous. For safety reasons, this symbol will light up on
the LCD screen as soon as a voltage is generated.
Thank you for purchasing a C.A 6521, C.A 6523 or C.A 6525
insulation tester.
To get the best service from this instrument :
■read this user’s manual carefully
■respect the safety precautions detailed
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
■Comply with the conditions for use : temperature, humidity,
altitude, degree of pollution and place of use
■This instrument can be used on category II installations for
voltages which do not exceed 300 V in relation to the earth.
The equipment classified in category II is energy-consuming
equipment, receiving its power supply from the fixed
installation (cf. IEC 664-1, 1992 edition).
■Do not perform any insulation or resistance measurements
when the presence of a voltage is indicated.
■Use connection accessories that comply with the applicable
IEC safety standards, with a minimum voltage and voltage
surge category at least equal to those that you use for your
measurements.
■Respect the value and type of the fuse to avoid damaging
the instrument and cancelling the warranty.
■Set the switch to OFF when the instrument is not in use.
■Check that none of the terminals is connected and that the
switch is set to OFF before opening the instrument.
English

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CONTENTS
1. PRESENTATION
1.1. General Presentation ...................................................25
1.1.1. The Megohmmeter.................................................25
1.1.2 Accessories............................................................25
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1. Unit................................................................................26
2.1.1. C.A 6521 ................................................................26
2.1.2. C.A 6523 ................................................................26
2.1.3. C.A 6525 ................................................................26
2.2. Display ..........................................................................26
2.2.1. Symbols .................................................................26
2.2.2. Bargraph.................................................................27
2.2.3. Digital display .........................................................27
2.3. Control keyboard ..........................................................27
2.3.1. Yellow key...............................................................27
2.3.2. ALARM key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) ..................27
2.3.3. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) ...........................27
2.3.4. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) ...........................28
2.3.5. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) .........................28
2.3.6. TIMER key (C.A 6525) ...........................................28
3. MEASUREMENT FUNCTIONS
3.1. Insulation ......................................................................28
3.1.1. Safety checking ......................................................28
3.1.2. Insulation measurement ........................................29
3.2. Continuity......................................................................29
3.3 Resistance (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) ..........................30
4. SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
4.1. Start/stop ......................................................................30
4.2. Automatic shutdown .....................................................30
4.2.1. Deactivation of automatic shutdown function ........31
(C.A 6523 and C.A 6525).......................................31
4.3. Power supply autotest ..................................................31
4.4. Buzzer...........................................................................31
4.4.1. The different audible signals ..................................31
4.4.2. Deactivation of the buzzer .....................................32
4.5. Alarm thresholds (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525).................32
4.5.1. Programming of the alarm thresholds ...................32
4.5.2. Activation/deactivation of the alarm thresholds.....32
4.5.3. Triggering of the alarm ...........................................33
4.6 Compensation of measuring leads ..............................33
(C.A 6523 and C.A 6525) .............................................33
4.7. Timer (C.A 6525) ..........................................................34

5. USE
5.1. Insulation testing ..........................................................35
5.2. Continuity measurements.............................................35
5.3. Resistance measurements (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)......36
6. CHARACTERISTICS
6.1. Reference conditions....................................................36
6.2. Characteristics per function..........................................36
6.2.1. Voltage ...................................................................36
6.2.2. Insulation ................................................................36
6.2.3. Continuity ...............................................................37
6.2.4. Resistance (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)....................37
6.2.5. Timer (C.A 6525)....................................................38
6.3. Power supply ................................................................38
6.4. Climatic conditions .......................................................38
6.5. Variations in nominal field of use .................................38
6.6. Limits ............................................................................39
6.7. Construction specifications ..........................................39
6.8. Compliance with international norms ...........................39
6.8.1. Electromagnetic compatibility : EC compliance ....39
6.8.2. Mechanical protection ............................................39
7. MAINTENANCE
7.1. Upkeep..........................................................................39
7.1.1. Replacing the batteries ..........................................39
7.1.2. Replacing the fuse .................................................40
7.1.3. Cleaning .................................................................40
7.1.4. Storage ...................................................................40
7.1.5. Calibration ..............................................................40
7.2. Maintenance .................................................................40
8. WARRANTY ...................................................... 41
9. TO ORDER ........................................................ 41
10. APPENDIX
10.1. Front views ................................................................ 102
CA. 6521 .................................................................... 102
C.A 6523 .................................................................... 103
C.A 6525 .................................................................... 104
10.2. Examples of applications .......................................... 105
10.2.1. Insulation measurements on installations .......... 105
10.2.2. Insulation measurements on cables ................... 106
10.2.3. Insulation measurements on motors .................. 107
10.3 Accessories ............................................................... 108
10.3.1. Shoulder bag ....................................................... 108
10.3.2. Use of the shoulder bag...................................... 108
10.3.3. Remote control probe ......................................... 109

1.PRESENTATION
Terminology
The term “continuity” will be used to mean a resistance
measurement performed with a current of at least 200 mA (with
the measured resistance lower than 20 Ω) in accordance with
the IEC 61557 norm, to distinguish it from a resistance
measurement(C.A 6523and C.A6525)performedwith acurrent
that is not predefined.
1.1. General Presentation
1.1.1. The Megohmmeter
These portable instruments function with batteries or a
rechargeable battery.They can be used to check the insulation,
continuity and voltages and to measure resistances.They help
to ensure the safety of electrical installations. The acquisition,
processing and display of the measurements are managed by
a microprocessor,
They offer a large number of advantages such as automatic
detection of a dangerous voltage on the MΩcalibre terminals
(with blocking of any insulation testing ifV > 25V), protection of
the instrument against external voltage surges, improved
operatorsafetythroughautomaticdischargingof thehighvoltage
fromtheequipment tested,automatic shutdown oftheinstrument
to optimize the battery charge life, a large LCD display with a
wide range of indicators that is very easy to read, etc. And,
depending on the model, backlighting of the LCD (C.A 6523
and C.A 6525), programming of the thresholds (C.A 6523 and
C.A 6525), the possibility of compensated leads for continuity
(C.A 6523 and C.A 6525), and display of the duration of the
measurement (C.A 6525).
1.1.2 Accessories
■Shoulder bag (delivered with standard instrument, see § 10)
When placed in the shoulder bag, the instrument can either be
carried on the shoulder to transport it or around the neck for
use. This leaves the users’ hands free to perform the
measurements. Since the instrument is perpendicular to the
chest, it is easy to read.
At the bottom of the shoulder bag, underneath the instrument,
there is a pocket for the leads, the touch prod, the crocodile
clamp and the remote control probe.
■■
■■
■Remote control probe (option, see § 10)
This probe is used with the C.A 6523 and C.A 6525.These are
equipped with the special connector required to connect it to
the instrument.
It can be used for all the measurements, including activation of
insulationtesting, using theyellow buttonwhich worksin exactly
the same way as the button on the instrument.

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A pushbutton on the back of the probe allows you to light the
measuring point (lighting of approx. 500 lux). This function is
veryuseful, since insulation testing is performed on installations
with the power off!
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1. Unit
See the diagrams of the instruments in § 10 (appendix at the
end of this user’s manual)
2.1.1. C.A 6521
➀2 safety terminals, Ø 4 mm (marked “ + “ and “ - “)
➁5-way switch: OFF, MΩ- 250 V, MΩ- 500 V,
20 Ω+, 20 Ω-
➂Yellow key (to activate insulation measurement)
➃Liquid crystal display
➄Battery compartment + stand (not shown in the drawing)
2.1.2. C.A 6523
➀2 safety terminals, Ø 4 mm (marked “ + “ and “ - “). Next to
the “ – “ terminal, there are two additional contacts for
connecting the remote control probe (3-point connector).
➁6-way switch :OFF, MΩ- 500V, MΩ- 1000V, 400 kΩ, 20 Ω+,
20 Ω-
➂Yellow keys (to activate insulation measurement), ALARM,
, and etc.
➃Backlit liquid crystal display
➄Battery compartment + stand (not shown in the drawing)
2.1.3. C.A 6525
➀2 safety terminals, Ø 4 mm (marked “ + “ and “ - “). Next to
the “ – “ terminal, there are two additional contacts for
connecting the remote control probe (3-point connector).
➁7-way switch : OFF, MΩ- 250 V, MΩ- 500 V,
MΩ-1000 V, 400 kΩ, 20 Ω+, 20 Ω-
➂Yellow keys (to activate insulation measurement), ALARM,
, , and TIMER.
➃Backlit liquid crystal display
➄Battery compartment + stand (not shown in the drawing)
2.2. Display
2.2.1. Symbols
Timer active (in TIMER mode)
ALARM Thresholdactiveorthreshold programmingin progress
>Upper threshold
<Lower threshold

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Dangerous voltage generated
!
See the user’s manual
> 25 V Voltage > 25 V
W0
Compensated leads
Buzzer active
P
Constant operation (no automatic shutdown)
Batteries flat
W0
Fixed and Flashing :
incorrect compensation of the leads
2.2.2. Bargraph
Insulation > 2 GΩ
Insulation < 50 kΩ
2.2.3. Digital display
BAT Batteries low – must be changed
OL Range exceeded
- - - Insulation < 50 kΩat 250 V, < 100 kΩat 500 V
or < 200 kΩat 1000 V
2.3. Control keyboard
2.3.1. Yellow key
When this yellow key is pressed, a high voltage is generated for
insulation testing. However, if a voltage greater than 25 V has
been detected, no insulation testing is allowed and the key
becomes inactive.
In all cases, this key is only active for as long as it is pressed,
except in the TIMER mode specific to the C.A 6525 (first press
= activation, second press = deactivation).
2.3.2. ALARM key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)
The ALARM key can be used to activate/deactivate the alarm
thresholds during insulation, resistance and continuity
measurements.
When associated with the and keys, it can be used to
program the values of these thresholds.
2.3.3. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)
When programming the alarm thresholds, the key makes
the following elements flash in succession :
■the measurement unit digit (if there is one),
■the thousands digit,
■the hundreds digit,
■the tens digit,
■the units digit,
■the decimal separators,
■the type of threshold (upper or lower),
■and it then returns to the measurement units.

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2.3.4. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)
When programming the alarm thresholds, the key can be
used to scroll through the possible values, which flash, and then
loop back to the beginning :
■MΩor GΩfor insulation, kΩor Ωfor resistance, for the
measurement units,
■1,2, 3 or _ for the thousands digit,
■0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 for the hundreds, tens and units,
■“-.- - -” or“- -.- -” or“- - -.-”or “- - - -”for the decimal separator,
■> or < for the upper or lower threshold.
2.3.5. Key (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)
When the key is pressed, the backlighting of the display comes
on.It will be turned off automatically one minute later.When it is
lit, you can turn the backlighting off by pressing this key again.
2.3.6. TIMER key (C.A 6525)
This key can be used to activate/deactivate timed insulation
measurement.
3. MEASUREMENT FUNCTIONS
3.1. Insulation
The insulation measurements correspond to the MΩpositions
of the switch.
3.1.1. Safety checking
The insulation measurement shall be performed when the
equipment is idle. The apparatus nevertheless automatically
detects and indicates the presence of a voltage on its terminals.
If the voltage present is less than 25 V, the insulation can be
tested, but the lower the test voltage (250 V, 500 V or 1000 V)
the greater the possibility of error.
If the voltage is greater than 25 V, “ > 25 V “ is displayed.
Pressingtheyellowkeydoes nottrigger insulationmeasurement,
but causes a series of buzzes (buzz, buzz, buzz, ...) and makes
the symbol flash until the yellow key is released. These
warnings only end if the voltage falls below 25 V (disconnect
the apparatus and neutralise the voltage which is present on
the network to be measured) or if the yellow key is released or,
naturally, if you turn off the instrument by returning the switch to
the OFF position.
Should the voltage be greater than 600 V, the digital display
will indicate " OL ".

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3.1.2. Insulation measurement
If there is not a dangerous voltage (see § 3.1.1.), the user can
then measure the insulation by pressing the yellow key. The
high voltage is then generated between the terminals (marked
+ and -). The value of the measurement is shown on the
logarithmic scale of the bargraph and on the digital display, with
the corresponding MΩor GΩsymbol. As soon as the yellow
key is released, the instrument returns to voltage measurement
mode.
If the voltage generated may be dangerous, the symbol
is displayed.
The instrument indicates if the value measured is outside
its measurement range. If the insulation resistance is greater
than 2 GΩ, the OL symbol is displayed on the digital
measurement display.When the measurement is greater than
2 GΩ, the symbol lights up on the right-hand side of the
bargraph.
Similarly, if the insulation resistance is less than 50 kΩat 250V,
100 kΩat 500 V or 200 kΩat 1000 V, the digital measurement
display indicates “ - - - “ . When the measurement is less than
50 kΩ, only the symbol lights up on the left-hand side of the
bargraph.
Specific remark concerning the C.A 6523 and C.A 6525 :
A programmed alarm threshold can activate itself (see § 4.5).
Specific remark concerning the C.A 6525 :
The measurement can be timed (see § 4.7).
3.2. Continuity
The continuity measurements correspond to the “ 20 Ω+ “ or “
20 Ω- “ switch positions.
The instrument takes a measurement at I ≥200 mA and the "Ω"
symbol is displayed.If the threshold is active (ALARM function)
with the buzzer on, the buzzing starts very quickly (tens of
milliseconds); even before the measurement is displayed.
Between the “ 20 ΩΩ
ΩΩ
Ω+ “ position and the “ 20 ΩΩ
ΩΩ
Ω- “ position,
the direction of the current is inverted. The result of the
measurement is the mean (to be calculated by the user) of the
value displayed in the “ 20 Ω+“position and the value displayed
in the “ 20 Ω- “ position.
Continuitymeasurements shallbeperformedonidlecircuits.
The fuse protecting against external voltages is checked
when the apparatus is started up and at the end of each
continuity measurement.
The instrument indicates if the value measured is outside
its measurement range. If the resistance is greater than 20 Ω,
the OL symbol is displayed on the digital measurement display.
Specific remarks concerning the C.A 6523 and C.A 6525 :
The resistance of the measurement leads can be compensated
(see § 4.6).
A programmed threshold may trigger an alarm (see § 4.5).

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Specific remark concerning the C.A 6521 :
In continuity mode, a lower threshold of 2 Ωis constantly active.
However, the buzzer can be deactivated by pressing the yellow
key.
3.3Resistance (C.A 6523 and C.A 6525)
Resistance measurement corresponds to the 400 kΩposition
of the switch on the C.A 6523 or C.A 6525.
The Ωsymbol is displayed with the k symbol if necessary.The
measurement is indicated on the digital measurement display.
The instrument indicates if the value measured is outside
its measurement range. If the resistance is greater than
400 kΩ, the OL symbol is displayed on the digital measurement
display.
Resistance measurements shall be performed on idle
circuits.
A programmed threshold may trigger an alarm (see § 4.5).
4. SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
4.1. Start/stop
When you move the switch from the OFF position to one of the
active positions, the battery voltage is applied to the circuit.The
instrument starts up and all the display segments light up at the
same time for 1 second. All the segments then go dark except,
for 2 seconds, the , and symbols which delimit the
size of the bargraph.The bargraph indicates the battery charge
life and the digital measurement display which indicates the
charge life available (0 to 100%) for a battery voltage varying
from 6.7 to 10 V.
The instrument can be shut down at any time by moving the
switch to OFF, which cuts off the battery power supply to the
whole instrument.
.
4.2. Automatic shutdown
After5 minuteswithoutanyactivitybytheuser onthe instrument
(key press on the keyboard or on the yellow key on the remote
control probe or turn of the rotary switch), the instrument shuts
down automatically.It is then on standby.When this is the case,
to start up the instrument again, all you have to do is press one
ofthe keys,turntheswitch orpress theyellowkey onthe remote
control probe of the C.A 6523 or C.A 6525.
The automatic switch-off is inhibited during continuity
testingas longasthe measurementbeing madevaries between
a value (between 0 W and 20 W) and OL (which means that
measurement is in progress).
On the C.A 6525, in TIMER mode (see § 4.7), the five minutes
beforeautomatic shutdownonly beginatthe endofthe maximum
15-minute measurement period.